Formed in Muncie, Indiana in 1991, Neurotic Box enjoyed some tumultuous ups and downs during their brief tenure. Singer Kevin Rhodenbaugh (ex- Soulpaint ) had intended on starting a band with bassist Jeremy Hammond, and through a mutual friend, met guitarist Steve Janiak ( Devil to Pay , Pub Sigs ). Janiak recommended guitarist Shane McCorkle ( Hellwinkle ). Without a suitable drummer, Kevin reluctantly returned to his original instruments, drums.
After playing a few shows, the group disbanded, then reformed a few months later with guitarist Chris Kent. This lineup went on to record 1991's "10 Song Demo" and 1992's "Wedge." Chris Kent was eventually replaced by Dan Fulkerson, but after a brief period of shows, the band became a three piece.
In 1993 Neurotic Box began recording their first full length record at Kelsey's Playground with guitar maestro Mike Kelsey, but before the record was released, they signed a publishing deal with now defunct Interscope Music (Possum Dixon, Tupac Shakur, SWV). After the release of 1994's "Parables for the Esoteric" the band showcased for a handful of major labels, recorded another 4 song demo at Kelsey's Playground (with producer John Bogosian), then added singer/guitarist Jeff Marker for only a few months before disbanding entirely, with Janiak off to devote his full attention to the Pub Sigs, Rhodenbaugh & Hammond starting a new group, Room 237.
In 1995, Neurotic Box reformed, this time with Pub Sigs guitarist Larry King. The band recorded 3 new songs and played locally until 1997, when they finally called it quits.
Below are some articles that defined the times.
Ball State Daily News - Jan 92
Hijinx Magazine - Jul 92
Nuvo Newsweekly - Jan 93
Ball State Daily News - Jan 93
Nuvo Newsweekly - Mar 93
Nuvo Newsweekly - Apr 93
Ball State Daily News - Apr 93
An advertisement from Ball State Daily News - 93
Nuvo Newsweekly - 1993
An photo from IU's student newspaper - 93
Ball State Daily News - Oct 93
An advertisement from the Ball State Daily News - Nov 93
Nuvo Newsweekly - Dec 93
Indianapolis Star - Dec 93
Lineup for Rock the Ripple from Nuvo - 1993
List of readers favorites, runners-up, from Nuvo - 1993
Nuvo Newsweekly - 1993
Interview with Guilt Fanzine - 1993
Different Beat Magazine (part 1) - Feb 94
Different Beat Magazine (part 2) - Feb 94
Karma advertisement from Different Beat Magazine - 1994
Ball State Daily News - Apr 94
Ball State Daily News - Apr 94
Elwood Call Leader - May 94
An advertisement from the Elwood Call Leader - May 94
Indianapolis Star - Aug 94
Ball State Daily News - Aug 94
Nuvo Newsweekly - Sep 94
Patio advertisement from Nuvo Newsweekly - Sep 94
College Music Journal - Nov 94
A photo from the Ball State University Yearbook 1995
Ball State Daily News - Aug 95
Ball State Daily News - Sep 95
Muncie Option - Feb 97
an incomplete discography:
From the demo sessions 1996
Steve Janiak - guit/voc, Kevin Rhodenbaugh - drums, Jeremy Hammond - bass, Larry King - guit
1. This Could Be
2. Don't
3. Valentine's Day
From the demo sessions Spring 94
Steve Janiak - guit/voc, Kevin Rhodenbaugh - drums, Jeremy Hammond - bass
1. World of Stone
2. Reasons
3. Mountains
4. Growth
Parables for the Esoteric - 1994
Steve Janiak - guit/voc, Kevin Rhodenbaugh - drums, Jeremy Hammond - bass
1. Logos
2. Black Hole
3. Overgrown
4. Happily Ever After
5. Among Other Things
6. Prize Package
7. Sterling Silver
8. Inevitable
9. Mass
10. Chaos
11. Lost and Forgotten
12. Escape Goat
Wedge - 1992
Steve Janiak - guit/voc, Kevin Rhodenbaugh - drums, Jeremy Hammond - bass, Chris Kent - guit
1. Open
2. If Only
3. I am Nothing
4. Controlled Substance
5. It's all in your head
6. Sideways, Up, and Down
7. Taken
8. By All Means
10 Song Demo - 1991
Steve Janiak - guit/voc, Kevin Rhodenbaugh - drums, Jeremy Hammond - bass, Chris Kent - guit
1. Bang
2. Fallen Down
3. Strength of Will
4. Infinity
5. Skyscraper
6. It's All in your Head
7. Misunderstood
8. Inevitable
9. Controlled Substance
10. By All Means
